The West Bank from above
Farmland, desert edge and the necropolis opposite Luxor, seen as the light changes.
5.0 on TripadvisorPrivate tour Sunrise Hot Air Balloon over Luxor
A sunrise hot air balloon flight over the Luxor West Bank, with hotel pick-up before dawn.
- Duration
- Confirmed for your date when you book
- Where
- Luxor West Bank
- Pick-up
- Hotel or Nile ship in Luxor, before dawn
- Language
- English (other languages on request)
From, per person$1306 or more travellers
- Starts any day
- Free quote, no obligation
- Change anything you like
About this tour
This is the quietest way to see the Theban landscape: the Nile, the farmland along it, the desert edge and the West Bank necropolis seen from the air as the sun comes up. Hot air ballooning over Luxor has run since the late 1980s, and the flight is a morning of waiting, watching the balloon fill, and then floating, not a sightseeing tour.
We arrange the booking, the transfer and the timing around the rest of your Luxor stay. The pickup is in the dark, so the day starts far earlier than a normal sightseeing day.
It suits travellers who can get up in the dark and climb into a basket. It does not suit anyone who dislikes heights, cannot stand for the landing, or needs a guaranteed departure: flights are cancelled when the wind or visibility is wrong, and the decision is made on the morning.
Sunrise over the Nile
The sun comes up while you are in the air, with the river and the green strip below.
Weather decides
Flights are called off in strong wind or poor visibility, so build in a spare morning.
Easy to pair
The West Bank sites open at 6:00, so the balloon can be followed by a day tour on the same bank.
How the day runs
- 1
Before dawnPick-up in Luxor
You are collected from your hotel or ship in the dark. The exact time depends on the sunrise, so it changes through the year, and we confirm it for your date when you book.
- 2
Early morningThe launch field
Since new rules introduced in 2009, balloons in Luxor take off from airfields on the West Bank set aside for ballooning. The crew lays out and inflates the balloons while you wait, and you climb into the basket when it is ready.
- 3
SunriseIn the air
The pilot decides the height and direction from the wind, so no two flights follow the same line. Expect the Nile, farmland and desert edge below you, and, depending on the wind, parts of the West Bank necropolis. Wikivoyage's Luxor guide says a flight lasts at least 45 minutes, weather permitting.
- 4
After the flightLanding and return
The pilot picks the landing spot from the wind, and the ground crew meets you there. Your pilot will brief you on how to stand for the landing, and then you are driven back to your hotel or ship.
- 5
LaterOptional West Bank tour
You can continue to the Valley of the Kings or Hatshepsut's temple, which both open at 6:00. Ask us when you book if you want the tour arranged around the landing time.
How much does this tour cost?
| Group size | Price per person |
|---|---|
| Single traveller | $210 |
| 2 travellers | $165 |
| 3 to 5 travellers | $145 |
| 6 or more travellers | $130 |
In US dollars, per person, for a private trip. The price in your written quote, made for your dates and group, is the one that counts. International flights are not included.
What’s included
Included
- Pick-up and return from your hotel or ship in Luxor
- Sunrise balloon flight over the West Bank
Not included
- West Bank sightseeing, unless booked separately
- Tips
Booking policies
Important information
The weather decides
In April 2024 the civil aviation authorities cancelled all Luxor balloon flights for wind and poor visibility, and flights resumed the next day. We recommend booking your balloon morning early in your Luxor stay so there is a second chance.
Early start
The pickup is before dawn, so plan an early night. If you have a sightseeing day afterwards, tell us and we will time it around the landing.
Wear
Layers, because the air is cool before sunrise, closed flat shoes, and no loose hats or scarves that can blow away.
Who should check first
Tell us when you book if you are pregnant, have back or heart problems, or travel with a young child, so we can advise before you commit.
Payment and deposit
- Prices are in US dollars and the price in your written quote is the one that counts.
- The deposit is 30 percent of the total price (50 percent for trips that start from 18 December to 5 January).
- The balance is due 15 days before arrival. If you book later than that, the full amount confirms the booking.
- Payment instructions come with your written quote.
Cancellation and refund
Send every cancellation by email so that we can confirm it in writing. The charge is a percentage of the tour price, and anything you paid above it is refunded.
| Days before arrival | Normal dates | 18 Dec to 5 Jan |
|---|---|---|
| Until 61 days | 20% | 35% |
| 60 to 31 days | 35% | 50% |
| 30 to 15 days | 50% | 75% |
| 14 to 1 days, or no-show | 100% | 100% |
A bank and payment fee of 6 percent is deducted from every refund. Full rules: terms and policies.
Children
- Children under 3 travel free.
- Children from 3 to 11.99 years pay 50 percent of the tour price.
- From 12 years, travellers pay the adult price.
Please give the age of every child at the time of travel when you ask for a quote.
Travel tips
Know before you go
Start early
Pickup around 8:00 gets you to the pyramids before the heat and the coach groups.
Wear
Closed shoes, a hat and sunscreen, expect sand, steps and uneven ground.
Extra tickets
Entry inside the Great Pyramid is an optional ticket bought on the day.
Photos
Photos are free outdoors; some tombs charge for cameras. Drones are not allowed.
Traveller reviews
What our travellers say
A Fantastic Tour of Egypt
“The entire trip was seamlessly executed.”
Best tour guide!!
“He made our trip to the pyramids and Alexandria fun and memorable.”
Amazing 2 week trip
“My friends and I spent two weeks in Egypt and he was with us every step of the way.”
FAQ
Questions about this tour
Still unsure? Message us on WhatsApp and a real person from our team will answer.
What happens if the flight is cancelled for wind?
Wind and visibility are judged on the morning, and flights do not go up when conditions are wrong. This is why we suggest booking your balloon morning early in your Luxor stay.
How long is the flight?
Wikivoyage's Luxor guide says a flight lasts at least 45 minutes, weather permitting. The pickup and return add to that, and we confirm the full timing for your date when you book.
Where does the balloon take off?
From an airfield on the West Bank set aside for ballooning. The exact site and the route depend on the wind.
Can I do this and the Valley of the Kings on the same day?
Yes. Both are on the West Bank, and the Valley of the Kings opens at 6:00. Tell us your plan and we will set the pick-up times.
Make it a trip
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Before you go
Guides for this trip
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